Timer



, eilfect the starting Patented June 5, 1945 UNITED STATES PATENT orrlcsTIMER Cyrus Swift, Qhicago, Ill. Application December 20, 1942, SerialNo. 423,760

Claims.

The present invention relates to a timer device and more particularly toan adjustable device operable after a predetermined time interval to orstopping of an associated mechanism. Generally speaking, the timingdevice of this invention includes a bellows having a valve through whichair is vented when the bellows is collapsed. The bellows has an airinlet sized for admitting air into the bellows at a predetermined rate.When the bellows. is collapsed and air expelled therefrom, the rate atwhich air enters through the inlet as the bellows expands and when thevent valve is closed determines the time limit for the bellows to assumeits normal ex panded shape.

When the bellows nears its fully expanded shape, an actuating devicethereon opens the vent valve and effects a snap action control for thestarting or stopping of an associated mechanism either by the closing oropening of an electrical circuit or by the actuation of a mechanicallinkage.

It has been found that the usual timing devices employed at the presenttime of the clock or gear mechanism type are not entirely satisfactoryas their accuracy is affected when subiected to changes in temperatureand atmos-- pheric pressure, vibration, shock or other disturbances.

An object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide a simpletiming device whose accuracy is unaffected when exposed or subjected toexternal disturbances.

Another object of this invention is to provide an accurate timing deviceadiustably operable by controlling the flow of air.

A further object of this invention is to provide a timing device whichincludes a snap action control for the starting and stopping of anassociated mechanism.

Another and still further object of this invention is to provide atiming device having a bellows arrangement from which air is evacuatedwhen the bellows is collapsed and including an air inlet sized to effectan exact time interval for expansion of the bellows arrangement.

A still futher object of this invention is to provide a timing devicewith anexpansion bellows arrangement having an air inlet sized forcontrolling the time interval required for the bellows arrangement toexpand and also having a cam mechanism operated by the expanding bellowsarrangement which effects a snap action control for the starting andstopping of an associated mechanism.

A further object of this invention is the previsicn in a timing deviceof an expansible bellows having different sized air inlets operable atdif ferent stages of the expansion thereof for controlling the timeinterval for expansion.

another and further object of this invention is the provision in atiming device of an expansible bellows having one air inlet sized forcontrolling an even rate of expansion of the bellows and another airinlet sized and operable near the end of the expansion for suddenlyincreasing the rate of expansion to a snap action.

A still further object of this invention is the provision in a timingdevice of a cam mechanism and an expansible bellows having a vent valveand an air inlet for controlling the time interval for expansion of thebellows with the cam mechanism being operable for controlling theopening and closing oi. the vent valve at predetermined positions of thebellows.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a timing devicehaving an expansible bellows with a vent valve and an air inlet forcontrolling the time interval for expansion of the bellows and alsohaving a cam mechanism operable for compressing the bellows and forcontrolling the opening and closing of the vent valve at predeterminedcollapsed and expanding positions of the bellows.

The novel features believed to be characteristic of the presentinvention are set forth with par-.

ticularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, bothas to, its organization and manner of construction, together withfurther objects and advantages thereof may best be understood byreference to the following description taken in connection with theaccompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a side view in elevation of a timer device constructed inaccordance withthe principles of the present invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged view similar to Figure 1, with portions brokenaway, illustrating details of construction of the timer device of thisinvention;

Figure 3 is a top plan view of the timer device illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view asseen in the plane taken substantially along the line IV-IV of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is an enlarged transverse cross-sectional view as seen in theplane taken substantially along the line V-V of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary bottom view in elevation as seen inthe plane taken substentlelly along the line fl- V1 of Figure 2; and

Figure '7 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical cross-sectional viewillustrating a modified form of construction in which an expandedbellows electrical contacts to open circuit to connect el lcal conteststor circuit as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

- t shown in Figures 1 and 2, the timing ill of the present inventiongenerally in t so e valve chsnisrn by which viii/@1111 opened and closeddevice,

new: in Figure and which ier in spaced relation 'ver erts end it.Connection and Cilllllifi The bellow accuracy of the t" impaired when.sub The Instill is also rierzible and resilient and in its her e isexpanded into abutment with the etc i? of the frame it. The plate ll isup as at (Fig. 2) for slidsbly recei hough the vent valve constructionit.

'e i3 has tubular casing 2i threaded -rioh at one end for threadedengagement ugh the top wall or the bellows I2 and a. rercing plate 22thereon. The valve casing 21 internally threaded at its upper end forreceiving therein o valve oi the Schroeder" type which has onezrteriorly threaded casing 23, a. spring casconnected to the cusing 23and which terminates its lower end in an outwardly flared valve seat e.valve pin 23 having an outwardly tiered velve heed El for seating on thevalve seat 25, and coil spring 28 embracing the valve pin 26 within thespring casing 24 for normally maintaining the valve head against itsseat. It will be noted that the upper end of the valve pin 26 extendsabove the top 01' the tubular casing 2!.

Although the bottom of the bellows [2 may be directly connected to thebase plate I6, it is preferred that a reinforcing plate 29 be interposedtlierebetween which, together with the base plate, forms it support forthe air inlet mechanism !4.

The sir inlet l4 includes a casing 30 having an exteriorly threadedtubular end threaded through registered and internally threaded openingsin the base plate is and reinforcing plate 29. The casing 30 extendsupwardly within the interior of the bellows i2 and is so shaped as toprovide a tapered inner surface 3!. An end wall 32 at the tapered end ofthe casing 30 is apertured as at it. The cylindrical end portion of thecasing 30 is internally threaded for receiving therein a taperedrestriction member 34 having a knurled actuating heed 35 on. one endthereof. One or more longitudinally extending grooves 36 (sce Fi 5) areprovided transversely through the exterior threads on the restrictionmember 34 in order that air may flow from the atmosphere into the spacebetween the tapered surfaces on the re striotion member and the casins-The rate of airflow by therestriction member and through the easing intothe interior of the bellows I2 is dependent upon the size or the groovesI8, the area or the adjustable space between the restricr and thecasing, and the length of tlcn morn the casing to flow or mber 34 hasbeen illusmay be provided, on. members each run it is threaded 21g headthereo! in end of 3 casing e. predebetween the r tion member beprovided. ll varying the size restriction members, the time inti o flow0! a. given volume of air 7 air inlet may be con rolled. This .ctionmember would require the proslot 88, as shown in dotted lines o, n. theunder side of the actuating head for air to enter the casing through3%.. In this iorm oi. construction, as many hooves 38 are provided asthere are longltudinell extending grooves 38.

A. cross member or plate 39, shaped similar to the base plate [8 or thecover plate IT, has attached thereto a pair oi! spaced rod-like members4C and ll. Coxmection or each of the rod members to the plate 39 is byany suitable means such as threading, riveting, welding, brazing or thelike. The members 40 and 4! are so spaced as to telescopically engagewithin the vertical tubular supports l8 and i9 and are sufficientlylonger than the vertical supports as to extend from both ends thereof.The lower ends or the rod members are threaded for receiving thereon theabutment nuts 42 and 43. Abutment plates 44 and 45 are connected to thelower side of the base plate (8 and are suitably apertured tor slids-blyreceiving therethrough the rod members.

A coil spring 48 embraces a. portion of the rod member 40 adjacent thecross member 39 and has one end seated against the cross member and itsother end seated on the cover plate ll. Likewise, a. coil spring 41embraces the rod member 45 in a. position interposed between the coverplate H and the cross member 39. The coil springs urge the cross member39 away from the cover plate IT with the limit of relative movementtherebetween being defined by the abutment between the nuts 42 and 43and the abutment plates 44 and 45. It will be apparent that the distancebetween the cover plates l1 and the cross member 39 effected by thecompression of coil springs 48 and 41 may be adjusted and varied bythreading the nuts 42 and 43 longitudlnally along the threaded endportions of the rod members 40 and 4|.

As best shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, a. cam arm it'll 48 has one endpivotally connected to the cross member 39 adjacent its under surface bya pivot 49, such as a cap screw or the like. The opposite end of the camarm 48 extends over the portion of the valve pin 28 projecting outwardlyof the casing 2| of the vent valve I3. As best shown in Figure 2, whenthe bellows i2 is in an expanded position and in abutment with the coverplates II, the end of the valve pin 28 projecting from the casing 2| ofthe vent valve i3 is in abutment with the cam arm 48 whereby the valvehead 21 has been urged away from the seat 25 to open the valve forcommunication of the interior of the bellows and the atmosphere. 7

A stop pin 50 extends downwardly from the cross member 39 against whichthe cam arm 48 abuts for positioning the latter directly over the valvepin 26 as shown in Figure 3. The position of the cam arm is normallymaintained by a leaf spring whose free end abuts against the cam arm andwhose other end has a coil 52 for receiving therethrough a pin 53 forconnecting the spring to the cross member 39.

A cam member 54 has an upper conical portion 55 and a reduced exteriorlythreaded end portion 56 for connection with the cover plate H. The cammember 54 is so positioned on the cover plate that its longitudinal axisis in alignment with an edge of the cam arm 48 (Figure 3). An opening 58is provided in the cross member 39 in axial alignment with the cammember 54 for a purpose to be now explained.

When the timing device if! is held so that manual pressure may beapplied to the base plate It and the cross member 39, compression of thesprings 46 and 41 is overcome, the cross member 39 is forced towards thecover plate H, the cam arm 48 is forced into abutment with the end ofthe casing 2| to open the valve therein and the bellows |2 collapsedtowards the base plate i6. As the vent valve I3 is opened and thebellows i2 collapsed, air in the bellows is vented through the ventvalve.

The normal relative position of the parts is illustrated in full linesin Figures and is the position of parts illustrated in Figures 1 and 2.When the cross member 39 has been urged towards the cover plate I! toits limit of movement, the relative position of parts is illustrated indotted lines in Figures 1, 2 and 4. As the cross member 39 movesdownwardly, the conical portion 55 of the cam member 54 enters into theopening 58 and simultaneously the cam arm 48 moves downwardly along thesloping surface of the cam member whereby it is urged away from the stopmember 50 and against the leaf spring 5|. The limits of lateral movementof the cam arm 48 are shown in full and dotted lines in Figure 4. Whenthe cam arm 48 has been moved laterally as shown in dotted lines inFigures 3 and 4, it has been moved out of alignment and abutment withthe valve pin 26 and engages only an end portion of the valve casing 2|.The coil spring 28 of the vent valve |3 urges the released valve pin 28to a position in which the valve head 21 is seated against the valveseat 25 thereby closing the vent valve. However, engage ment between theend of the casing 2| and the cam arm 48 maintains the bellows |2collapsed until such time as manual pressure isreleased from the device.

A look 59 is provided for maintaining the bellows l2 collapsed whenmanual pressure on the device is released. This lock constructionincludes a tubular member 60 slidably embracing the upright tubularsupport IS. A laterally extending handle II is provided on the tubularmember 40 for manual rotation thereof on the vertical support N. A pin82 extends outwardly from the vertical support I! and seats within aslot 88 in the tubular member whereby the handle 6| turns the tubularmember 60 around the vertical support between predetermined limitsdefined by the length of the slot. This pin and slot coaction permitsrelative rotative movement but eliminates the possibility of anyrelative axial movement between the tubular member 60 and the verticalsupport. A locking portion 84 extends radially from the tubular member50 in a direction opposite to the handle 8|. A transverse slot 85 isprovided in the locking portion so as to embrace an upwardly extendingpin carried by the top 0! the bellows l2. If desired, reinforc- 111gplates 81 and 88 are provided on oposite sides 01 the bellows forreceiving therein the pressntted or otherwise secured end of the pin 56.An

opening 69 in the'cover plate I! slidably receives therethrough the pin88.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2', a pair of electrical contacts 10 and H arenormally held spaced by a dielectric member 12 with the elements beingconnected to the under side or the cross member 39 by means of a rivetor screw 13. The contacts 10 and H are so positioned as to be inalignment with the pin 88. Conductors l4 and I5 connect the contacts 10and TI to an associated mechanism (not shown) to be started in operationwhen the circuit is closed through abutment of the contact H and thecontact 10.

When the timing device ID has been manually actuated whereby the crossmember 39 is moved downwardly, the bellows .I2 is collapsed and the airtherein vented to the atmosphere. The vent valve I3 is then closed bycooperation of the cam member 54 and cam arm 48 and, if desired, thecollapsed bellows is looked in position by actuation of the lockingmechanism 58 to a position as illustrated in Figure 3. The air inlet I4is then adjusted to the position in which a predetermined time intervalelapses for the flow of air into the bellows i2 to take the place of thevolume of air vented therefrom when the bellows has been released andexpands towards the cover plate As the vent valve ll is closed when thedevice is manually actuated to an operating position. the collapsedbellows |2 may be locked by the locking mechanism and manual pressurereleased from the cross member 38 which is then urged to a projectedposition by the coil springs 46 and 41. Release of the looking mechanismpermits the bellows l2 to expand upwardly towards the cover plate l1 andthe time interval for the bellows to reach its fully expanded positionis predetermined by the rate 01' airflow through the adjustable airinlet H. The upward speed of the bellows I2 is controlled entirely bythe rate 01' airflow through the air inlet l4.

When the top of the bellows l2 nearly approaches the cover plate H, theextended end of the valve pin 28 engages'the cam arm 4!. Continuedupward movement of the bellows causes the valve head 2'! to be actuatedaway from its seat 25 thereby connecting the interior of the bellows tothe atmosphere by a relatively large air inlet opening. The rush of alarge volume of air into the interior or the not quite fully expandedbellows causes the latter to complete its expansion with a snap action.This snap action movement of the bellows at the end or its expansioncauses the pin 85 to snap the contact H into immediate engagement withthe contact 70. This snap action of the contsctc eliminates awpossibility of arcing therec contsct .10 anelcctrical ciris closedwhereby an asnisrs may be started in operation. i" hing device ill ofthis inven- 3 for eflecting 5, pre

l, I .1. colors associated my device mny be of is provided in the alcontcct 58 is operation.

c cl "ranted. opening is provided in the $9 in order that the arm llcarsomber or] distance suiidcicnt to break the engagelt between thecontacts H and lb. This emotion of serves to open an electrical circu iby the conductors H and 75' where cssccic'cd mechanism in operation maybe sto ped.

The timing device ill illustrated and described has been develop-edprlmarily for use with delsyed action bombs lthough it is obviouslyusable with any mechanism for starting or stopping the latter by eitheropening or closing an electrlcal circuit. Gbvlously, the device is alsocapable of operation with. mechanical linkage for starting and stoppingan associated mechanism. Should mechanical linkage be substituted for anelectrical circuit, the linkage would take the place of the electricalcontacts with the pin 68 coccting with a, lever member whose movementwould be transmitted through the connected linkage.

It will be obvious from the foregoing that I have provided a timingdevice which is simple in construction, whose operation depends entirelyon the control of the flow of air, and which is positive and accurate inits operation irrespective of the number of times the device isoperated. It will also be apparent that the simplicity in design andconstruction of my timing device readily lends itself to mass productionat a very nominal cost per unit.

While particular embodiments only of this invention have beenillustrated, it will, of course, be understood that the invention shouldnot be limited thereto, since many other modifications may be made and.therefore, it is contemplated by the appended claims to cover all suchmodifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the presentinvention.

I claim as my invention:

1. A timer comprising a resilient hollow body, a vent valve for saidbody, an air inlet for said body defining an intake of smaller area thansaid a an associated opcrvent valve, means for collapsing said body forventing air therefrom through said vent valve to the atmosphere, saidbody partially expanding to a normally expanded shape by drawing airinto the interior thereof from the atmosphere through said small airinlet, and means for opening said vent valve for communication betweenthe atmosphere end the interior of said hollow body whereby the latterfully expands to said expanded shape by a snap action.

2. A timer construction comprising a. resilient bellows, a vent valvefor said bellows, an adjustable air inlet for said bellows defining anintake of. smaller area than said vent valve, means for collapsing saidbellows for venting sir therefrom through said vent valve to theatmosphere, s-id resilient bellows expanding to a normal ex- 1: ed shapeby drawing air into the interior thereof from the atmosphere, and cammeans for opening said vent valve for communication between theatmosphere and the interior of said bellows at o predetermined pointduring expansion oi the bellows whereby the latter then expands withsnap action.

" timer construction comprising a frame ng relatively nlovsble portions,a bellows carr by one of said frame portions, 8. pair of fluid is lingmeans for connecting the interior of sold bellows with the atmosphere,said frame portions being movable relative to each other for collapsingsaid bellows, said collapsed bellows exp-snding at a rate determined byfluid drawn through one bleeding means, and means on the other of saidframe portions for actuating the other bleeding means whereby saidbellows fully expands at it faster rate.

d. A timer construction comprising a frame having relatively movableportions, telescopic means connecting said frame portions, resilientmeans normally maintaining said frame portions in one spaced relation, anormally expanded bellows carried by one of said frame portions, 9.fluid inlet for said bellows, a fluid vent valve for said bellows, saidbellows being collapsed when said frame portions are moved relative toeach other whereby fluid in the bellows is expelled through said ventvalve, said bellows expanding toward its normally expanded condition ata rate determined by said fluid inlet, and a cam member carried by theother of said frame portions for engagement by said vent valve to fullyopen the latter whereby said bellows then expands at a faster rate.

5. A timer construction including a movable valve construction,resilient means normally maintaining said valve construction in oneposition, means for moving said valve construction to another position,cam means between said valve construction and said last means foropening and closing said valve construction during movement to saidother position, said cam means including an abutment member for openingsaid valve when said moving means moves said valve toward said oneposition.

6. A timer construction including a. valve. spring means for normallymaintaining said valve in one position, a member movable into abutmentwith said valve for moving the latter to another position, a cam memberon said valve, a cam member on said abutment member, said cam memberscoacting to open and close said valve during movement thereof to saidother position, said cam member on the abutment member engaging saidvalve to open the latter when said spring means moves said valve towardsaid one osition.

7. A timer construction comprising a supporting frame, a normallyexpanded resilient bellows carried by said supporting frame, a normallyclosed spring pressed vent valve for said bellows. an adjustable fluidinlet for said bellows, a member carried by said supporting frame formovement relative thereto, spring means normally maintaining said memberin a projected position, said member being operable for collapsing saidbellows, mechanism for holding said bellows collapsed and releasing saidbellows therefrom, a

with said valve for opening the latter when pressure is applied to saidactuating member to move the valve to one 01' said limits, and a cammember engageable with said actuating member during said movement of thevalve for moving said cam member out of alignment with the valve.

9'. Ina timer, a valve construction movable between predeterminedlimits, said valve construction having a spring pressed valve pinnormally closing said valve and a tubular casing housing said pin, amovable actuating member, an arm pivotaliy carried by said actuatingmember, an abutment stop on said actuating member !or limiting pivotalmovement oi said arm in one direction, a spring associated with saidactuating arm for normally maintaining said arm in abutment with saidstop and in alignment with said valve pin and said tubular casingsaidarm moving said pin to open said valve and abutting said tubular casingfor movement of the valve construction to one of its limits when saidactuating member is moved, and a member having a sloping cam surface forengagement of an edge of said arm during said movement of the valveconstruction to said one limit for rocking the arm away from said stopand out of alignment with said valve pin whereby said arm engages onlysaid tubular casing and said valve pin released to close said valve.

10. A contact actuating device comprising a body. 7

CYRUS SWIFT.

